Photo: Russia may use nuclear weapons, US intelligence believes (Russian media) Author: Irina Gaiduk
US intelligence has concluded that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin may resort to nuclear escalation if the war fails.
RBC-Ukraine reports this with reference to Bloomberg.
According to the publication, the warning about the possibility of Putin using nuclear weapons is contained in a fresh report by the US Director of National Intelligence, published on March 25.
“Russia's failure to achieve quick and decisive victories, as well as Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, increase fears that Putin may resort to nuclear escalation,” the document says.
At the same time, US intelligence believes that Russia and Ukraine probably have more incentive to prolong the military conflict than to rush to a full settlement.
“While both sides have demonstrated a willingness to test partial ceasefires, leaders still likely view the risks of a protracted war as less than the risks of an unfavorable settlement,” the report says.
Moscow, according to US intelligence, retains the advantage on the battlefield: a protracted war of attrition works in the Russian army's favor and “leads to a gradual but steady weakening of Kyiv's position, regardless of any attempts by the US or its allies to increase pressure on Moscow.”
At the same time, analysts note that a protracted war could hit the Russian economy and threaten “an unwanted escalation with the West.” For Ukraine, the risk lies in the uncertainty of future aid from its allies.
Nuclear threat to Russia
Recall that American intelligence also came to the conclusion that Russia is likely working on creating a new satellite that will be capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Analysts emphasized that such a weapon of the Russians could lead to “devastating consequences” for the United States and the entire world.
Also last year, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner said Russia was planning to place nuclear weapons in space.
In addition, yesterday it became known that Russia began military exercises using missiles with nuclear warheads. The exercises involve intercontinental ballistic missiles “Yars”. It is worth noting that these are not the first military exercises of this kind in Russia.
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